The Cake Seller
by LAER, Pieter van, Oil on canvas
This work is distinguished by the dignity it gives to a simple moment in the life of humble people without a trace of the anecdotal or picturesque. The static stance and quiet mood of the old pedlar sending bread rings (ciambella) recalls the tragic overtones found in Louis Le Nain’s paintings of peasants.
The painting was also attributed to Johannes Lingelbach (1622-1674), a member of the younger generation who continued working in Bamboccio’s style after he left Rome.